Member Reviews
Wow. This was such a wonderful book. I absolutely could not put it down. I loved the second chance that both MCs get. Their stories are unique but they make a perfect match. I loved the Christmas cookie competitions, they gave a perfect look into small town holiday life. You couldnβt help but love each of the MCs kids. They really added depth and dynamic to the story. I canβt wait to read more from Eliza!
If you're looking for the perfect Hallmark feel good Christmas book that makes you want to start your Holiday baking early then this is the book! This was such a fun read and inherently predictable but in a comforting way.
Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review!
πThe Christmas Cookie Wars π
Christmas in July, anyone?!!
Thank you for my early copy!
I LOVED Eliza Evans last book, The Christmas Cafe, so I was thrilled to see she had a new one coming!!
First, the cover!!! How adorable?!?
I devoured this book!!! The swoon!! The Christmas activities, cookies, everything about this made me think of a Hallmark movie!! π
A solid 4 stars! I absolutely loved Melody. Besides the fact that her name was almost my name, she was so relatable. She has a lot going on, a little messy and perfectly imperfect, just trying to survive life and motherhood. I truly enjoyed it and the mishaps. The drama with the previous committee lady was a bit ...ehh, but it made the book even better at moments. I loved the two main love interests. Enemies to lovers trope is a whole vibe. This was cute, had some great twists, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending π₯°
I received this ARC from NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Son to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
Thank You NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cute and enjoyable read. This book really was like a Hallmark movie and I really loved the FMC and the dynamic with her children. The MMC and FMC were very funny and romantic. Even though I read this in the summer, I was put in the holiday spirit. This is a great read anytime but I would wait to read if you want a cozy Christmas read.
A cute Hallmark-like holiday read. Widowed mom to twin boys Melody takes over the planning for the schoolβs fundraising holiday activities and attracts the attention of divorced school principal Jonathan. Activities are sabotaged, they work together to make them a success and fall in love in the process. No surprises, just a sweet holiday read.
I did appreciate that Jonathan spoke about his former wife with respect. So many times it seems that authors make the divorced spouse into the villain and in life sometimes a marriage ends and nobody is the bad guy. It was nice to see that in a romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnamβs Sons for the eARC. Opinions are my own.
Cute Christmas romance about a single mom of twin boys trying to save her town's cookie festival traditions. I'll be honest: I'm not a parent, so I really didn't connect with Melody and, quite frankly, all the school parent stuff was generally super uninteresting to me. Although I know there are self-serving parents like Charlene out there, her schemes were a little over the top, to the point that I checked out. Overall, not one I'd usually pick, but I wanted to try something new.
Perfect length and perfect sweetness! This book is perfect for a holiday travel, a book swap, a pixie gift, white elephant or a stocking stuffer.
The Christmas Cookie Wars
By Eliza Evans
Melody Monroe, widow, designer, boutique owner and mom of twin ten year old boys has her hands full. All she wanted for her boys to be filled with Christmas holiday spirit and right now that isnβt happening. Losing their father has made the boys question the point of celebrating Christmas.
Worrying about her boys only increases her stress and makes doing the daily things like getting to school on time almost impossible and dealing with the ever stern, infuriating Principal Jonathan Braxton is not something she wants to do!
Learning that the schools major fund raising cookie committee has disbanded due to trouble in the ranks, Melody volunteers to take over. She isnβt about to lose another important part of the holidays, even if she has to deal with the aggravating Jonathan Braxton to make it happen.
They say the way to a manβs heart is through his stomach, but when he bakes better than you do, tempers flare and the great cookie cook off is born! Things donβt always progress as you want and sometimes help comes from unexpected places, not to mention from the person you least expect to come to your aid.
As the holiday cookie events progress, trouble isnβt far away and nobody seems to know who is doing it. But trouble can also bring people together and learning that people arenβt always as they seem brings joy and understanding to the Christmas season as well as attraction between Melody and Jonathan.
I enjoyed every moment of this book, itβs sweet, feisty and heartwarming all at once and I totally recommend it!
This was a funny, cute story that kept you engaged till the end. If you like Hallmark movies, you will like this book. Melody, a single mom since her husband passed away, wants to keep Christmas magical for her twin sons so takes over the Christmas festivities in their town. Of course, issues arise with each event that need ingenuity to fix at the last minute and there is a budding romance for Melody if she is reading the signs right and the uncertainty that goes along with that. All this makes for a fun read. Can the events be saved? Is she ready for romance? Does he feel the same? You will just have to read the book and find out for yourself. No spoilers here!!
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.
Perfect read for the holiday season! Hallmark movies are my favorite thing to do around Christmas and this book felt like a Hallmark movie. A little Christmas, a little romance and cookies, who could ask for more!
"There's only one person I'm interested in right--"
This is a solid 3 stars. The author made these characters act their age, which are older adults, who have elementary and middle school children. Melody and Jonathan are the main characters and they care for their kids and it showed through their actions. This book to me reminds me of a hallmark movie (not in a bad way) and maybe, something a mom would read. (again, not in a bad way).
"Id like to stop talking now so I can kiss you"
Things I like:
- Melody as a character and her character towards everybody in her life.
- The cozy vibe it gives.
- The scene with the lights.
- I really like that these characters are so focused on their kids and how their kids will react towards them dating.
- It feels realistic and kinda messy.
"I know they're the most important people in your life and I wouldn't like it any other way"
Things I don't like/could live without:
- The book is marketed as a romance/rom com and I think the romance is secondary. I don't know how I feel about the love interest long term. It gives happily ever (for now)
- I wished that the dynamic between Jonathan and Melody was expanded out more, I think that could have even an interesting read.
I liked the book though and wish the author the best moving forward!
Hallmark movie in a book is the best way I can think to describe this sweet holiday read. It was a fun, innocent-feeling romance that made me genuinely wish there was snow on the ground and cookies baking in my oven. It had a perfect blend of small town romance and heartwarming family relationship vibes.
This was a cute easy read that is going to be the perfect touch for the holiday season. Youβll get the feels and vibes for Christmas.
Major editing needed. Cute Hallmark movie type book, perfect for a cozy read over the holidays. Unfortunately, major things like the special gift that was given were inconsistent in the story.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.
I really loved this story about Melody Monroe who was raising her twins Tate and Finn. They had lost their father when they were 4 and now they are 10. She was all about her children. Especially Christmas and all their traditions plus she was all about family. The town's Yuletide Christmas days weren't going to happen because the committee has disbanded. Melody decided she would take it over and she did. She and her committee worked hard to make everything happen but things kept getting in the way.The principal, Jonathan and Melody became friends. Soon it became more and rumors were spreading around town. You'll need to read about all the things that happens and now it turns out. A VERY GOOD READ.
Wow I want to celebrate Christmas already after reading this book. Why is it only June. I loved the story and the characters it had me from page 4.
This book was a sweet, heartwarming holiday romance. It read and felt exactly like a Hallmark movie, which is honestly exactly how I want my holiday romances to read. I loved the dynamic of Melodyβs family, it was really endearing watching her strive to keep her kids happy while also giving herself another chance at happiness. I enjoyed this one, I will definitely read more by Eliza Evans! Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Stars- Just a super solid, really cute holiday romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Eliza Evans for the advance digital copy of The Christmas Cookie Wars. This book was really just a heartwarming story. Two single parents find themselves trying to save their little town's holiday traditions and fall in love along the way. The book dealt with grief with the passing of a parent/partner. I'm no expert on grief therapy but I felt like the book handled it extremely well.
This book just gave me all of the cozy, pine tree scented, steaming hot chocolate, sugary cookie vibes and I was here for it!
β‘πππ«π πππ―π’ππ°β‘
4.5 π
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β’cookie war
β’Christmas vibes
β’small town romance
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If you want a good cozy Hallmark's Christmas movie with a mix of Food Network Baking show this book is highly recommended for you. The Christmas Cookie War was definitely a palate cleanser for me. It embodies everything a parent would do for their children to be able to have a good Christmas no matter the cost.
Melody Monroe is trying to save Christmas for her twin 9 year old sons, even if it means waging a Christmas Cookie war with her children's principal.
Also, π°π πππ
ππππ π ππππ ππ πππ πππππ πππ ππππππ. π°π πππππ
ππ π΄π¬! I love this book cover.
β‘πππ₯πππ¬π Oct.22β‘
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Thank you, Netgalley, and Penguin Group for the (eArc)-eBook for my honest review.